Sadaf Kaleem, Syeda Asiya Parveen, Abdullah Mashori, Arshia Bilal, Kiran Aleem, Anum Tazeen, Amna Khalil, Aqsa Ayub.
Malnutrition and its Risk Factors Particularly Family System in Elderly Population of Karachi.
Pak J Med Health Sci Jan ;8(1):71-4.

Aim: To determine the frequency of malnutrition, its risk factors and to compare the effects of living system (alone or joint family) on malnutrition among elderly population of Karachi. Methods: Comparative cross sectional study was conducted on elderly of various towns of Karachi for 8 months. A total of 206 samples were selected through convenient technique including people age 60 years and above while excluded those who were bed ridden, had malignancy or any debilitating disease. Results: Total population surveyed comprised of 206 elderly of which 61% were women. Mean age for the population was 67.04±6.19years. According to MNA scale, 20% of studied population was found to be malnourished while 46% were at risk. Malnutrition was found to have statistically significant association with female, house wives and living alone (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Malnutrition is prevalent in elderly population of Karachi particularly in those who live alone. Significant factors include living alone, decrease in amount, frequency & type of food intake, physical immobility, depression & dementia. An integrated approach for early identification, counseling regarding healthy food and lifestyles and promotion of joint family system would be required to overcome the malnutrition and its deleterious effects.

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